Briar
pipes are made with the "root" of
the white heath tree (Erica arborea).
This shrub, which can reach four meters
in height, grows all around the Mediterranean
basin (Corsica,
Italy, Algeria, Morocco, etc...).
In
fact, only its burl root is used in pipe
making. It is an outgrowth found between
the foot of the bush and the roots, forming
a hard, compact wood with a fine and
close grain.
The
Brotherhood of Master Pipe Makers of Saint-Claude
is a non-profit association whose aims
are:
– to unite
the pipe manufacturers in the region of
Saint-Claude,
– to organize events that promote the renown of the pipe and
of Saint-Claude, France's mecca of briar pipes.
Each
year, the Brotherhood conducts initiations
of Fellow Pipe Makers, French or foreign,
men or women, during three or four chapters
including one extraordinary chapter during
which the First French Pipe Smoker of
the year is initiated. Membership is
not restricted to manufacturers.
